Eyelash extensions: Are they safe?

Most beauty trends come and go, but a select few — like lipstick and
long eyelashes — have stood the test of time and are likely here to
stay.

In the case of long lashes, mascara is a staple in most
makeup bags. But newer alternatives, including eyelash extensions, are
being used to help women's eyes pop. Eyelash extensions are a growing
trend and have gotten a fair share of publicity in recent years, with
several big stars showing them off in Hollywood and beyond.

But not all the press on eyelash extensions has been attractive.

When
actress Kristin Chenoweth showed up wearing sunglasses on a late night
talk show a few years ago, she explained that the reason was an eyelash
extension mishap that left her with badly swollen eyelids.

Soon after Chenoweth's appearance, Consumer Reports
and the American Academy of Ophthalmology weighed in on this growing
beauty trend, urging consumers to proceed with caution if they are
considering having extensions applied.

What Are Eyelash Extensions?

There are lots of ways to get longer-looking eyelashes. The simplest and least expensive is traditional mascara.

Others
include false eyelashes, eyelash transplants, permanent makeup,
pharmaceuticals that promote lash growth, and even eyelash perms. To be
clear, eyelash extensions don't technically fall into any of these
categories.

Eyelash extensions are individual fibers — not a strip
of lashes — that are glued, one by one or in small groups, onto your
natural eyelashes to enhance the appearance of length and fullness.

Most
eyelash extensions are made of synthetic fibers, such as nylon, and are
bonded using various types of professional glues. Silk is another
material used for eyelash extensions. There are even mink eyelashes made
of natural fur.

How Eyelash Extensions Are Applied

You
don't need a degree to apply eyelash extensions, but by no means does
this imply that the procedure is easy to perform. In fact, it requires
quite a bit of skill, and due to the precision required to place
individual lashes, it is often compared to microsurgery — except it's
usually performed in a spa or salon by an aesthetician or technician
rather than a trained eye care professional.

Most aestheticians or
technicians apply eyelash extensions using two pairs of tweezers. The
first pair is used to separate your natural lashes. The second pair
holds the lash extension, which is dipped in glue and then placed on top
of the isolated natural lash. After a few seconds, the two will bond
together.

Typically, anywhere from 40 to 100 eyelash extensions are applied per eye.

How Long Do Eyelash Extensions Last?

Eyelash
extensions are shed with your natural eyelashes. Typically, eyelashes
fall out and regrow every six weeks or so. After about a month, roughly
half of your eyelash extensions will be gone.

Eyelash Extensions Cost

If
you sign up for a full set of eyelash extensions, set aside about two
to three hours and a few hundred dollars. Mink eyelash extensions can
cost around $500.

Many salons offer "touch-up" applications of new
eyelash extensions as existing ones are shed with your natural
eyelashes. The cost for limited eyelash extension replacements is
significantly less than the initial procedure.

What Can Go Wrong

Certainly,
anytime you're touching an area near the eye, there's cause for
concern. But with eyelash extensions, problems don't usually result from
sharp tweezers. Instead, most problems are caused by the glue that's
used to bond the synthetic extensions in place, since these often
contain formaldehyde or other chemicals that can cause irritation and
allergic reactions.

Eyelash extensions can make short, sparse eyelashes look thicker and longer. But there are risks.

An article published in Consumer Reports
discusses several cases in which patients experienced infections and
allergic reactions to the formaldehyde-based adhesives that were used to
apply their eyelash extensions. The American Academy of Ophthalmology
(AAO) likewise responded to reports cautioning consumers about the
dangers of cosmetic eyelash extensions.

As the AAO notes, in addition to infections and allergic reactions,
some people actually lose eyelashes in the process of trying to make
them look more plentiful. This is because frequent use of eyelash
extensions can damage the hair follicles responsible for eyelash growth
and maintenance.

Other, less common, complications with eyelash
extensions include forceps wounds, reactions to solvents used to remove
the extensions, and reactions to the tape that may be used to hold your
lids closed during the procedure.

Also, some eye doctors and researchers believe eyelash extensions may increase your risk of dry eyes.
It appears there is an optimal length for eyelashes to protect the eyes
from wind, dust and other debris. Animal studies suggest this optimal
eyelash length is one-third the width of the eye.

Longer, fuller
eyelashes create a fan-like effect with each blink, increasing air flow
on the surface of the eye that can cause dry eye symptoms, according to
Deepinder Dhaliwal, MD, professor of ophthalmology at the University of
Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

How To Remove Eyelash Extensions

Eyelash
extensions are applied with a substance similar to "superglue" and can
be difficult to remove without the proper tools and techniques.

The
best choice if you are unhappy with how you look wearing eyelash
extensions or if some have fallen out and you want the rest removed, is
to return to the salon and have an aesthetician or technician remove
them.

If you are unable or unwilling to return to the salon and
you don't want to wait for the extensions to shed naturally, you can try
one of these home methods to remove eyelash extensions:

Steam and olive oil method

Remove all mascara and eye makeup from your eyelids.

Heat a pan of water on the stove until it is boiling, then turn off the heat.

When
the water is steaming but no longer boiling, lean over the pan so the
steam can reach your face. Drape a towel over the back of your head to
help capture the steam.

After about five to 10 minutes, apply a
few drops of olive oil onto a cotton ball and gently wipe your eyelashes
until the extensions begin to come off. Avoid touching your eye or
getting the olive oil in your eye.

Rinse your eyelids with warm water and gently dry.

Solvent (glue remover) method

Purchase eyelash glue remover from your salon or a drugstore.

Remove all mascara and eye makeup using your normal method.

Wet a cotton swab with the glue remover.

While looking in a mirror, pull down one eyelid. (Keep the other eye open so you can see what you are doing.)

Gently wipe your eyelashes with the cotton swab several times until the extensions start to loosen.

Gently remove each extension with your thumb and index finger.

Apply more glue remover to your eyelashes with a cotton swab if the extensions don't release easily.

Obviously,
great care should be taken when applying a solvent (glue remover) near
your eye. Be sure to follow the instructions on the product carefully,
and don't let any solvent touch the surface of your eye.

Finally,
if you do experience an infection, allergic reaction or other irritation
after receiving eyelash extensions or attempting to remove them,
contact your eye doctor immediately.

Eyelash Extensions Alternative

If
you want longer, fuller eyelashes but are concerned about the potential
risks and expense of eyelash extensions, another option is to use
medical lash enhancers such as Latisse to encourage eyelash growth.

However,
eyelash enhancers also have some risks. Be sure to talk with your eye
doctor about pros and cons of eyelash extensions and products like
Latisse before deciding to use any cosmetic eye products.

Jealous of long eyelashes? Why extensions may be a bad idea. NBC Today. January 2015.<br>
How do you treat an eye infection/irritation due to eyelash extensions (glue)? American Academy of Ophthalmology. November 2013.<br>
American Academy of Ophthalmology warns consumers about the dangers of eyelash extensions. American Academy of Ophthalmology. May 2013.<br>
Eyelash extensions can pose health risks. <em>Consumer Reports</em>. May 2013.